Electric switch



(No Model.)

A. WISSLER. ELEGTRIG SWITCH.

' Patent ed Sept. 1, 1891.

W .M Em a M m mifim UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPIX \VISSLER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 458,879, datedSeptember 1, 1891.

Application filed June 22, 1891- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADOLPH WIssLER, of the city of St. Louis and Stateof Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in electric switches and itconsists in the novel arrangement and combination of parts, as will bemore fully hereinafter described, and designated in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my complete inventionwith the contactplates removed from the binding-posts with the capremoved. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the contact-plates in contactwith the binding-posts. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the lineno a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar section taken on the line y y ofFig. 2.

The object of my invention is to so construct a switch that the circuitcan be closed or opened instantaneously and also embody such aconstruction that the circuit is always completely closed or opened, aswill more fully hereinafter appear from the specific description, whichI will now proceed to set forth.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a base of insulating material,the same being provided with holes 2, through which screws or nails maybe inserted for securing the same to the wall or any other desiredobject.

It may be premised in this connection that my switch is morespecifically denominated a double-pole switch, but the same principle ofconstruction may be embodied in a single-pole switch.

The base of insulating material 1 is provided with four holes orapertures, in which binding-posts 3 may be inserted and secured in anysuitable and mechanical manner, and in said binding posts 3 thecircuit-wires 4 may be secured by means of a series of smaller screws 53 or, if desired and convenient, other means for fastening thecircuit-wires 4 to the binding-posts 3 may be employed. Said base ofinsulating material 1 is provided with a peripheral recess 6 for thereception of a rounded cap 7. Said rounded cap 7 fits in said recess andis provided with an elongated Serial No. 397,104. (No model.)

slot 8, in which the switch-lever 9v may move when ever the same isoperated.

Secured to the insulating-base 1 in any suitable and mechanical manner,preferably, however, as illustrated in the drawings, is a U- shapedguiding-bar 10, of the construction as illustrated in Fig. 3. SaidU-shaped guiding-bar 10 is provided in its arched portion with anelongated slot 11, in which the switchlever 9 may move when operated. Itmay be perceived from this construction that the switch-lever 9 ispermitted to move in an arc,

' the extent of said movement being regulated by the length of elongatedslot 11. The lever 9 is provided with right-angular prongs 12, saidprongs being fulcrumed and pivotally secured in plugs of insulatingmaterial 13. The prongs 12 are united and form a continuous piece, andthe continuous piece thus formed has a horizontal portion 14, to whichhorizontal portion one end of a spiral spring 15 is secured in anysuitable and mechanical manner. The other end of said spiral spring 15passes through a perforation 16, formed in the insulating-base 1 and isheld in said position by means of a pin 17, which passes through an eyeformed in the end of the spiral spring 15. Said pin,as can be readilyperceived, prevents the spiral spring 15 from being pulled upwardly outof its proper location in perforation 16.

It may be premised in this connection that the perforation 16 iselongated, thereby per mitting the spiral spring 15 to move laterallytherein whenever the switch-lever 9 is Opel ated.

18 indicates S-shaped contact-plates, the same being provided withperforated cars 19, through which screws 20 pass, thereby pivotallysecuring said S-shaped contact-plates to the insulating base-plate 1.Said S-shaped contact-plates are provided with slitted and roundedterminal portions 21, which fit and lap over the bindingposts 3, therebyincreasin g the contact-surface between said bindingposts and saidcontact -plates 18. Said S- shaped contact-plates 18 are susceptible ofa rocking motion on their fixed centers or screws 20, and whenever saidplates are caused to rock in one direction they are brought in contactwith the binding-posts 3,

whereby the circuit is closed, and when they are caused to rock or movein an opposite direction they are removed instantaneously from saidbinding-posts 3, thereby opening the circuit. Said S-shapedcontact-plates 18 are provided with recesses 23, in whichtheinsulating-plugs 13 loosely fit.

It may be observed from the construction as hereinbefore set forth thatwhen the switch-lever 9 goes to the left, as illustrated in Fig. 3, theright-angular prongs 12 move in a horizontal direction to theright,thereby actuating and rocking the S-shaped contactplates 18. Of coursewhen said switch-lever 9 moves toward the right the right-angular prongs12 will move toward the left in a horizontal direction and actuate androck the contact-plates 18 in an opposite direction. It may be alsoperceived that the insulatingplugs 13 remain almost stationary until theswitch-lever 0 occupiesa position at an angle relative to a verticalline. Whenever it assurnes this position, the elasticity of spring 15will lower the switch-lever rapidly, and consequently move theinsulating-plugs 13 rapidly in a horizontal direction and bring the contact-plates 18 instantaneously in contact with or remove said platesinstantaneously from the binding-posts 3, thereby preventing anysparking between the binding-posts and contact-p1ates, as the connectionbetween said binding-posts and contact-plates is instantly made orbroken.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. An electricswitch having an insulated base 1, provided with a peripheral recess 6,a

a switch-lever 9, provided with prongs 12,the

same carrying insulating-plugs 13, mounted in said contact-plates 18,and a spring 15, secured to said prongs and said insulating-base 1. foractuating said lever, substantially as set forth.

2. An electric switch having an insulated base 1, provided with aperipheral recess 6, a cap '7, provided with an elongated slot 8,adapted to fit in said recess, binding-posts 3, secured to saidinsulating-base 1, S-shaped contact-plates provided with perforated ears19 and recesses 23, pivotally secured to said base, a U-shaped guide 10,provided with an elongated slot 11, secured to the same, a switch-lever9, provided with prongs 12, the same carrying insulating-plugs 13, thesame adapted to loosely fit in recesses 23, and a spring 15, secured tosaid prongs and said insulating-base or to said 'lever for actuatingsaid lever, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADOLPH 'WISSLER.

Witnesses:

ED. E. LONGAN, ALFRED A. EIcKs.

